Golf club attachment for determining optimum club head weight

ABSTRACT

An accelerometer for attachment to the shaft of a conventionaltype golf club and which when in use occupies a position adjacent the head of the club. The device includes a spring loaded rod mounted for retractable movement within a housing. The rod has teeth along one longitudinal edge to provide a rack and an indicia speed measuring scale along a diametrically opposite longitudinal edge. A latching and ratcheting pawl is mounted on the housing and is operatively coordinated with the teeth of the rack. The end of the rod which projects outward of the housing is provided with a detachable weight which enables the user to determine the proper weight needed in the head of the club to achieve maximum club head speed.

' United-States Patent [-151 [451 May 15,1973

Fennell v [54] GOLF CLUB ATTACHMENT FOR DETERMINING OPTIMUM CLUB HEADWEIGHT [76] Inventor: Marcus W. Fennel], 1020! Morehart Avenue, Pacoima,Calif. 9l33l [22] Filed: May 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 257,288

[52] U.S. Cl. 273/186 A [5 1] Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/36 [58] Field of Search..273/l83, 186, 193, 273/194 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,543,722 2/1951 Hetzel ..273/l86 A 2,986,937 6/1961 Chapman.....,..273/l86 A X 3,561,272 2/1971 Davis ..273/l86 A Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo Attorney-Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT Anaccelerometer for attachment to the shaft of a conventional-type golfclub and which when in use occupies a position adjacent the head of theclub. The device includes a spring loaded rod mounted for retractablemovement within a housing. The rod has teeth along one longitudinal edgeto provide a rack and an indicia speed measuring scale along adiametrically opposite longitudinal. edge. A latching and ratchetingpawl is mounted on the housing and is operatively coordinated with theteeth of the rack. The end of the rod which projects outward of thehousing is provided with a detachable weight which enables the user todetermine the proper weight needed in the head of the club to achievemaximum club head speed.

6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures r 1 GOLF CLUB ATTACHMENT FOR DETERMININGOPTIMUM CLUB HEAD WEIGHT This invention relates to an improvedaccelerometer provided with clips or the like which are so constructedand oriented that it is capable of being readily but reliably clipped onthe shaft of a golf club and is equipped with self-contained facilitieswhich function in a manner to enable the user of the club to measure andascertain the club head speed required for an acceptably reliablemaximum power swing.

More specifically the concept has to do with a club swing power meteringattachment which is readily attachable to and detachable from the shaftof the golfclub which is being tested and which is herein designated asan accelerometer and which, as a result of trial and errorexperimentation enables the user of the club to not only measure and seethe results of his swing but to satisfactorily ascertain the weightwhich he needs in the head of the club to evaluate and determine uponthe weight which is deemed to be necessary and needed to repeatedlyachieve maximum club head speed. It is submitted that by using thehereindisclosed device and properly altering the weight in the base of theclub head it is possible to accomplish maximum club head speed and, as aresult thereof to gradually acquire the maximum power required when thedesired swing has been perfected.

To the ends desired the attachment is such in the construction that thecoordinating and conjointly performing structural features combine foraccurately determining the proper weight that should be used in the clubhead to achieve maximum speed for the individual who is, at the time,using the club.

The idea of measuring the speed of a golf club head with a view towardfinding out how fast it is being swung or to convert the noted speed inrelation to yardage for the golf ball when struck is admittedly old andwell known. For example and for background purposes the reader maydesire to take note of a golf club attachment shown in U.S. Pat. No.2,543,722 granted to Frederick W. Hetzel and which teaches the idea ofmeasuring the centrifugal force of a golfers swing. Another examplewhich has to do with a yardage meter attachment is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 2,986,937 granted to Loyal H. Chapman. Then, too, and for furtherbackground information wherein a spring-loaded plunger in a case orhousing is shown is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,272 granted toGrady B. Davis.

An object of the present invention is to structurally, functionally andin other ways to improve upon prior art adaptations utilizingforce-measuring facilities and, in so doing, to provide a simple,practical and economical adaptation the primary purpose of which is fordetermining the proper weight that should be used in the club head toachieve the maximum speed possible for a given individual.

The maximum speed in conjunction with the maximum weight that can beutilized in a swing at maximum sped is deemed to be the envisioned goalof every golfer with a graduated maximum speed measuring scale. The

rod has a rearward enclosed end and a forward portion normallyprojecting through and beyond the coacting forward neck-like end of thehousing and is equipped with an attachable and detachable as well aschangeable weight. A latching and ratcheting pawl is exteriorly andoperatively mounted on the forward end portion of the housing and isoperatively coordinated with the teeth of the rack. Suitable means isprovided for detachably mounting the housing on the shaft of the golfclub adjacent to the head and parallel with the shaft.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing a conventional golf club andshowing, what is more significant, the club head accelerometer and howit is applied for use.

FIG. 2 is a view on a suitably enlarged scale with parts in section andelevation showing the component parts and how they are individuallyconstructed and structurally related for best results.

In FIG. 1 the golf club is conventional and is denoted at 4 andcomprises a shaft 6 having a handgrip 8 at the upper end and aconventionally constructed head 10 at the lower end.

With reference now to the views of the drawing and particularly withrespect to FIG. 2 it will be evident that the aforementioned housing isdenoted by the numeral 12, said housing being cylindrical in transversecross section and of a uniform cross section throughout the main or bodyportion and defining an enclosed hollow space 14. The forward end isgradually reduced in cross section or dimension and provides a guideneck 16 terminating in a restricted opening 18. The rearward or upperend portion of the cylindrical housing is open and is appropriatelyscrew threaded as at 20 to accommodate the screw threaded rim 22 of aclosing cap 24. Appropriate attaching and retaining spring clips areprovided at 26 and are located near the upper and lower end portions andadjoined by attaching shank portions 28. The manner in which the clipsare applied to the shaft is brought out in FIG. 1. Manifestly theseclips position the device so that it is parallel with the shaft andabove the level of the head with the neck end facing the head 10.

A spring-loaded rod is mounted for projectable and retractablereciprocation in the housing 12. This rod is denoted, generally stated,by the numeral 30 and has a circular abutment or appropriate shouldermeans 32 on the upper or rearward end portion 34. This means serves toaccommodate the uppermost convolution or coil 36 on the properlyenclosed and concealed coil spring 38. The forward or lowermostconvolution or coil is denoted at 40 in FIG. 2 and rests on the enclosedtapering collar 42. This collar is shaped to fit within the confines ofthe neck as is clear from FIG. 2. One longi tudinal edge portion of therod is provided with a multiplicity of suitably shaped and proportionedteeth 44 which conjointly provide the desired rack. The diametricallyopposite surface portion is provided with graduations 46 defining aforce-measuring scale 43. The

spring tension is such that the forward end portion of the rod orplunger projects beyond the opening 18 of the neck where (shown in FIG.2) the rod is provided with a reduced screw-threaded stud 50. This studis screwed into a screw-threaded socket 52 provided therefor in anattachable and detachable ball-like weight 54. The latching andratcheting pawl means is exteriorly and operatively mounted on thehousing and is operatively coordinated with the teeth of the rack. Thismeans is denoted by the numeral 56 and comprises a leaf spring having amajor portion which is 1ongitudinally bowed as at 58. The forward or tipend is appropriately dimensioned and constitutes a detent 60 which iscooperable with the teeth 44 of the aforementioned rack. A median bowedportion 62 is secured by a rivet or the like 64 to the housing in thelocale shown in F 16. 2. The free and suitably bent outward end portion66 is fashioned into and provides a manually actuatable detent applyingand releasing finger piece.

The measuring plunger is shown in its normal retracted position in FIG.2 but actually the spring tension and plunger construction might be suchthat the weighted ball would be in a normal position proximal to orabutting the neck opening 18 (not shown).

It can be mentioned in passing that the device as shown and describedlends itself to practical use for both right-hand and left-hand golfers.

This device is clipped or mounted on the golf club in the area of theclub head as shown in FIG. 1 in such a manner and position that thespring-loaded weighted plunger is allowed to project automatically whenthe necessary impetus is intiated by the applied centrifugal forces.

The manner in which the latching and ratcheting means 56 functions isbelieved to be self-evident from the views of the drawing. Theconstruction and coordination of the individual parts is also believedto be clear. The scale on the plunger is visible when the plunger isextended and can be read to determine the maximum speed achieved. Itfollows that by use of this attachment or device and altering the weightin the base of the golf club head, it is possible to achieve a maximumpower swing for a given individual.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 7

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use when one is desirous of determining the acceptably idealweight needed in the head of a golf club for best results, a club headaccelerometer comprising a vertically elongated hollow housing havingforward and rearward ends, a spring-loaded rod mounted for projectableand retractable reciprocation in said housing, said rod having teethalong one edge providing a rack and having one lengthwise face providedwith a graduated maximum speed measuring scale, said rod having arearward enclosed end and a forward end portion normally projectingthrough and beyond the coacting forward end of said housing and equippedwith a weight, a latching and ratcheting pawl exteriorly and operativelymounted on the forward end portion of said housing and operativelycoordinated with the teeth of said rack, and means carried by and fordetachably mounting said housing on the shaft of a golf club adjacentthe aforementioned head.

2. The club head accelerometer defined in and according to claim 1, andwherein said rod constitutes a plunger, the forward end of said rodbeing screwthreaded and providing a weight mounting stud, said weightbeing detachable and interchangeable and having a screw-threaded socketinto which said stud is screwed in a manner to secure said weight in itsusable position.

3. The club head accelerometer defined in and according to claim 1, andwherein said latching and ratcheting pawl comprises a leaf spring havinga major forward portion longitudinally bowed with its forward terminalend fashioned into a tooth ratcheting detent, a median portion rivetedto a prescribed exterior surface portion of said housing, and a freecurvate rearward end portion spaced outwardly from said surface portionand providing a manually actuatable detent applying and releasing fingerpiece.

4. The club head accelerometer defined in and according to claim 1, andwherein said housing is cylindrical in transverse cross section, theforward end being gradually reduced in cross-sectional dimension andproviding a guide neck for that portion of the rod which is slidinglymounted therein.

5. A club head accelerometer for attachment to the headed end portion ofthe shaft of a conventional-type golf club comprising a verticallyelongated hollow cylindrical housing open but provided with anattachable and detachable closing cap at its rearward end, the forwardend being gradually reduced in cross-sectional dimension and fashionedinto and providing a guide neck, a rod having a major body portion andrearward end portion confined for operation in the hollow portion ofsaid housing, the terminal part of said rearward end portion having afixed head-like abutment, the forward end portion having a reducedscrew-threaded stud equipped with an attachable and detachableballshaped weight of predetermined heaviness, said rod having teethalong one longitudinal side providing a rack and having a graduatedmaximum speed measuring scale along a diametrically opposite side, acoil spring confined for operation in the hollow portion of said housingand surrounding said rod and having a rearward end retentively engagingsaid head-like abutment and a lower end resting on a thrust shoulderprovided within the confines of said neck, a latching and ratchetingpawl exteriorly and operatively mounted on the forward end portion ofsaid housing and operatively coordinated with the teeth of said rack,and means carried by and for detachably mounting said housing on theshaft of a golf club adjacent the aforementioned head.

6. The club head accelerometer defined in and according to claim 5, andwherein said latching and ratcheting pawl comprises a leaf spring havinga major forward portion longitudinally bowed with its forward terminalend fashioned into a tooth ratcheting detent, a median portion rivetedto a prescribed exterior surface portion of said housing, and a freecurvate rearward end portion spaced outwardly from said surface portionand providing a manually actuatable detent applying and releasing fingerpiece.

1. For use when one is desirous of determining the acceptably idealweight needed in the head of a golf club for best results, a club headaccelerometer comprising a vertically elongated hollow housing havingforward and rearward ends, a spring-loaded rod mounted for projectableand retractable reciprocation in said housing, said rod having teethalong one edge providing a rack and having one lengthwise face providedwith a graduated maximum speed measuring scale, said rod having arearward enclosed end and a forward end portion normally projectingthrough and beyond the coacting forward end of said housing and equippedwith a weight, a latching and ratcheting pawl exteriorly and operativelymounted on the forward end portion of said housing and operativelycoordinated with the teeth of said rack, and means carried by and fordetachably mounting said housing on the shaft of a golf club adjacentthe aforementioned head.
 2. The club head accelerometer defined in andaccording to claim 1, and wherein said rod constitutes a plunger, theforward end of said rod being screw-threaded and providing a weightmounting stud, said weight being detachable and interchangeable andhaving a screw-threaded socket into which said stud is screwed in amanner to secure said weight in its usable position.
 3. The club headaccelerometer defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein saidlatching and ratcheting pawl comprises a leaf spring having a majorforward portion longitudinally bowed with its forward terminal endfashioned into a tooth ratcheting detent, a median portion riveted to aprescribed exterior surface portion of said housing, and a free curvaterearward end portion spaced outwardly from said surface portion andproviding a manually actuatable detent applying and releasing fingerpiece.
 4. The club head accelerometer defined in and according to claim1, and wherein said housing is cylindrical in transverse cross section,the forward end being gradually reduced in cross-sectional dimension andproviding a guide neck for that portion of the rod which is slidinglymounted therein.
 5. A club head accelerometer for attachment to theheaded end portion of the shaft of a conventional-type golf clubcomprising a vertically elongated hollow cylindrical housing open butprovided with an attachable and detachable closing cap at its rearwardend, the forward end being gradually reduced in cross-sectionaldimension and fashioned into and providing a guide neck, a rod having amajor body portion and rearward end portion confined for operation inthe hollow portion of said housing, the terminal part of said rearwardend portion having a fixed head-like abutment, the forward end portionhaving a reduced screw-threaded stud equipped with an attachable anddetachable ball-shaped weight of predetermined heaviness, said rodhaving teeth along one longitudinal side providing a rack and having agraduated maximum speed measuring scale along a diametrically oppositeside, a coil spring confined for operation in the hollow portion of saidhousing and surrounding said rod and having a rearward end retentivelyengaging said head-like abutment and a lower end resting on a thrustshoulder provided within the confines of said neck, a latching andratcheting pawl exteriorly and operatively mounted on the forward endportion of said housing and operatively coordinated with the teeth ofsaid rack, and means carried by and for detachably mounting said housingon the shaft of a golf club adjacent the aforementioned head.
 6. Theclub head accelerometer defined in and according to claim 5, and whereinsaid latching and ratcheting pawl comprises a leaf spring having a majorforward portion longitudinally bowed with its forward terminal endfashioned into a tooth ratcheting detent, a median portion riveted to aprescribed exterior surface portion of said housing, and a free curvaterearward end portion spaced outwardly from said surface portion andproviding a manually actuatable detent applying and releasing fingerpiece.